U.S. patent number 8,706,095 [Application Number 11/097,664] was granted by the patent office on 2014-04-22 for system for providing dynamic group and service assignments.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Omnitracs, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Robert D. McCloskey, Satish N. Ram, Loyle H. Sims, III. Invention is credited to Robert D. McCloskey, Satish N. Ram, Loyle H. Sims, III.
United States Patent |
8,706,095 |
Ram , et al. |
April 22, 2014 |
System for providing dynamic group and service assignments
Abstract
System for providing dynamic group and service assignments. In
one embodiment, a method is provided for dynamically assigning
regional groups and service providers to provide services for
equipment. The method includes determining that the equipment has
moved into a selected regional group, and assigning the equipment
to the selected regional group. The method also includes selecting
a service provider associated with the selected regional group, and
assigning the service provider to provide services for the
equipment.
Inventors: |
Ram; Satish N. (Poway, CA),
McCloskey; Robert D. (Lawrenceville, GA), Sims, III; Loyle
H. (Valley Center, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ram; Satish N.
McCloskey; Robert D.
Sims, III; Loyle H. |
Poway
Lawrenceville
Valley Center |
CA
GA
CA |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Omnitracs, LLC (San Diego,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
37071241 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/097,664 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20060223525 A1 |
Oct 5, 2006 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/414.2;
701/34.4; 455/423; 701/29.1; 701/34.3; 701/34.2; 455/425;
701/33.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q
10/08 (20130101); G06Q 10/04 (20130101); G06Q
10/06 (20130101); H04W 4/08 (20130101); G07C
5/008 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04M
3/42 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;455/425,456.1,456.5,456.6,414.2,456.3,423
;701/29,30,33.2,34.2,34.3,34.4,29.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
International Search Report, PCT/US06/011746, International Search
Authority, European Patent Office, Aug. 22, 2008. cited by
applicant .
Written Opinion, PCT/US06/011746, International Search Authority,
European Patent Office, Aug. 22, 2008. cited by applicant .
International Preliminary Report on Patentability, PCT/US06/011746,
The International Bureau of WIPO, Geneva Switzerland, Sep. 23,
2008. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Edouard; Patrick
Assistant Examiner: Heiber; Shantell L
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Arent Fox LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A method for dynamically assigning regional groups and service
providers to provide maintenance and repair services for heavy
equipment, the method comprising: receiving, at a hub apparatus,
position information of the heavy equipment, the heavy equipment
being previously assigned to a first selected regional group
corresponding to a first geographic region and previously assigned
to a corresponding first service provider for the maintenance and
repair services of the heavy equipment associated with the first
selected regional group; determining that the heavy equipment has
moved from the first geographic region to a second geographic
region, based on the position information received from the heavy
equipment; assigning the heavy equipment to a second selected
regional group triggered by the determining step; selecting a
second service provider to provide the maintenance and repair
services for the heavy equipment in the second selected regional
group; assigning the second service provider to provide the
maintenance and repair services for the heavy equipment in the
second selected regional group; and transmitting, from the hub
apparatus and based on the assigning of the second service
provider, un-assignment information to the first service provider
via a data network, wherein the un-assignment information informs
the first service provider that the first service provider is no
longer responsible for the maintenance and repair services of the
heavy equipment.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of assigning the heavy
equipment comprises updating the position information in
database.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting comprises
selecting the second service provider from a database that relates
one or more service providers to the second selected regional
group.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of assigning the second
service provider comprises transmitting assignment information to
the second service provider via the data network.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of assigning the heavy
equipment comprises updating regional group un-assignment
information in a database.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising defining one or more
regional groups wherein each of the one or more regional groups is
associated with one or more service providers for the maintenance
and repair services of the heavy equipment.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying a third
party about the selected second regional group and the second
service provider for the maintenance and repair services of the
heavy equipment.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether a
parameter associated with the heavy equipment indicates that the
heavy equipment should be statically or dynamically assigned to a
regional group and a service provider; and wherein performing the
assigning of the second selected regional group and the assigning
of the second service provider is based on the parameter indicating
that the heavy equipment should be dynamically assigned.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: creating a virtual
fence around the heavy equipment when the heavy equipment is at a
particular location; wherein receiving the position information
further comprises receiving at a first rate when the heavy
equipment is within the virtual fence and at a second rate greater
than the first rate when the heavy equipment is outside of the
virtual fence.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: creating a virtual
fence around the heavy equipment when the heavy equipment is at a
particular location; wherein receiving the position information
further comprises only receiving when the heavy equipment is
outside of the virtual fence.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: creating a virtual
fence around the heavy equipment when the heavy equipment is at a
particular location; wherein receiving the position information
further comprises receiving when the heavy equipment is moved
across the virtual fence; and receiving status information relating
to the heavy equipment when the heavy equipment is moved across the
virtual fence.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the position
information further comprises receiving based on a trigger event
corresponding to at least one of engine hours, or engine
temperature, or oil pressure, each of the heavy equipment.
13. A hub apparatus for dynamically assigning regional groups and
service providers to provide maintenance and repair services for
heavy equipment, the apparatus comprising: a transceiver receive
position information of the heavy equipment, the heavy equipment
being previously assigned to a first selected regional group
corresponding to a first geographic region and previously assigned
to a corresponding first service provider for the maintenance and
repair services of the heavy equipment associated with the first
selected regional group; a processor configured to: determine that
the heavy equipment has moved from a first geographic region to a
second geographic region, based on the position information
received from the heavy equipment; assign the heavy equipment to a
second selected regional group, triggered by determining that the
heavy equipment has moved from the first geographic region to the
second geographic region; select a second service provider to
provide the maintenance and repair services for the heavy equipment
in the second selected regional group; assign the second service
provider to provide the maintenance and repair services for the
heavy equipment in the second selected regional group; and wherein
the transmitter is further configured to transmit, from the hub
apparatus and based on the assigning of the second service
provider, un-assignment information to the first service provider
via a data network, wherein the un-assignment information informs
the first service provider that the first service provider is no
longer responsible for the maintenance and repair services of the
heavy equipment.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a database,
wherein the processor is further configured to assign the heavy
equipment by updating the position information in the database.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a database that
relates one or more service providers to the selected regional
group, wherein the processor is further configured to select the
second service provider from the database.
16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processor is further
configured to assign the second service provider by transmitting
assignment information to the second service provider via the data
network.
17. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a database,
wherein the processor is further configured to update regional
group un-assignment information in the database.
18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processor is further
configured to define one or more regional groups wherein each of
the one or more regional groups is associated with one or more
service providers for the maintenance and repair services of the
heavy equipment.
19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processor is further
configured to notify a third party about the second selected
regional group and the second service provider for the maintenance
and repair services of the heavy equipment.
20. A hub apparatus for dynamically assigning regional groups and
service providers to provide maintenance and repair services for
heavy equipment, the apparatus comprising: means for receiving
position information of the heavy equipment, the heavy equipment
being previously assigned to a first selected regional group
corresponding to a first geographic region and previously assigned
to a corresponding first service provider for the maintenance and
repair services of the heavy equipment associated with the first
selected regional group; means for determining that the heavy
equipment has moved from the first geographic region to a second
geographic region, based on the position information received from
the heavy equipment; means for assigning the heavy equipment to a
second selected regional group, wherein the means for assigning is
triggered by the means for determining that the heavy equipment has
moved from the first geographic region to the second geographic
region; means for selecting a second service provider to provide
the maintenance and repair services for the heavy equipment in the
second selected regional group; and means for assigning the second
selected service provider to provide the maintenance and repair
services for the heavy equipment in the second selected regional
group; and means for transmitting, from the hub apparatus and based
on the assigning of the second service provider, un-assignment
information to the first service provider via a data network,
wherein the un-assignment information informs the first service
provider that the first service provider is no longer responsible
for the maintenance and repair services of the heavy equipment.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the means for assigning the
heavy equipment comprises means for updating the positional
information in a database.
22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the means for selecting
comprises means for selecting the second service provider from a
database that relates one or more service providers to the second
selected regional group.
23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the means for assigning the
second service provider comprises means for transmitting assignment
information to the second service provider via the data
network.
24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the means for assigning the
heavy equipment comprises means for updating regional group
un-assignment information in a database.
25. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising means for
defining one or more regional groups wherein each of the one or
more regional groups is associated with one or more service
providers for the maintenance and repair services of the heavy
equipment.
26. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising means for
notifying a third party about the second selected regional group
and the second service provider.
27. A non-transitory computer program executable by a hub apparatus
comprising program instructions for dynamically assigning regional
groups and service providers to provide services for heavy
equipment, said non-transitory computer program comprising: program
instructions to receive, at the hub apparatus, position information
of the heavy equipment, the heavy equipment being previously
assigned to a first selected regional group corresponding to a
first geographic region and previously assigned to a corresponding
first service provider for maintenance and repair services of the
heavy equipment associated with the first selected regional group;
program instructions to determine that the heavy equipment has
moved from a first geographic region to a second geographic region,
based on the position information received from the heavy
equipment; program instructions to assign the heavy equipment to a
second selected regional group, wherein the assignment is triggered
by the determination that the heavy equipment has moved from a
first predetermined geographic region to a second predetermined
geographic region; program instruction to select a second service
provider to provide the maintenance and repair services for the
heavy equipment in the second selected regional group; and program
instructions to assign the second service provider to provide the
maintenance and repair services for the heavy equipment in the
second selected regional group; and program instructions to
transmit, from the hub apparatus and based on the assigning of the
second service provider, un-assignment information to the first
service provider via a data network, wherein the un-assignment
information informs the first service provider that the first
service provider is no longer responsible for the maintenance and
repair services of the heavy equipment.
28. The non-transitory computer program of claim 27, wherein the
program instructions to assign the heavy equipment comprise program
instructions for updating the position information in a
database.
29. The non-transitory computer program of claim 27, wherein the
program instructions to select comprise program instructions for
selecting the second service provider from a database that relates
one or more service providers for the maintenance and repair
services to the selected regional group.
30. The non-transitory computer program of claim 27, wherein the
program instructions to assign the second service provider comprise
program instructions for transmitting assignment information to the
second service provider via the data network.
31. The non-transitory computer program of claim 27, wherein the
program instructions to assign the heavy equipment comprise program
instructions for updating regional group un-assignment information
in a database.
32. The non-transitory computer program of claim 27, further
comprising program instructions to define one or more regional
groups wherein each of the one or more regional groups is
associated with one or more service providers for the maintenance
and repair services for the heavy equipment.
33. The non-transitory computer program of claim 27, further
comprising program instructions to notify a third party about the
second selected regional group and the second service provider for
the maintenance and repair services.
Description
BACKGROUND
I. Field
The present invention relates generally to the use, service, and
maintenance of industrial machinery and heavy equipment, and more
particularly, to a system for dynamically assigning regional groups
and service providers to service industrial machinery and heavy
equipment.
II. Description of the Related Art
Advances in technology have provided for increased sophistication
in the construction and heavy equipment industries. For example,
many types of industrial equipment now include computers, wireless
transceivers, positioning equipment and other sophisticated
electronics. With the increase in sophistication comes a
corresponding increase in equipment service and maintenance
requirements. For example, most heavy equipment requires periodic
maintenance after a predetermined number of usage hours. Thus,
providing efficient service and maintenance has become an important
goal for construction companies, leasing agencies, purchasers, and
others in the heavy equipment industry.
Typically, heavy equipment is moved from job site to job site as
needed with periodic or scheduled maintenance performed to minimize
down time. Minor maintenance may be performed at the job site,
while more complicated services may require that the equipment be
moved to an authorized service station. Thus, it has become
convenient to assign one or more administrative agencies,
maintenance or service providers in a particular geographic region
to be responsible to maintain and repair equipment in the region.
Unfortunately, this arrangement doesn't work very well when the
equipment is moved outside the region. For example, due to cost or
logistical reasons, the equipment may be moved to a job site
outside its current operating region.
Once the equipment is moved outside its current region, arranging
for service and maintenance becomes a problem. Typically, the
equipment is assigned to a service provider in a particular region
who is responsible for providing maintenance and repairs for the
equipment. The service provider generates reports (i.e., weekly or
monthly) that list equipment it is responsible for and scheduled
maintenance or service that may be due. When the service provider
discovers that a particular piece of equipment needs maintenance or
service, it locates the equipment and provides field service, or
arranges for the equipment to be taken to a repair center in the
region. However, if the equipment has been moved into another
region, it may be difficult or very costly to get service personnel
to the equipment, or to return the equipment to the repair center
located in its original operating region. To overcome these
problems, a service provider in the region in which the equipment
is currently located may be contacted to service the equipment. For
example, personnel at the original service provider view monthly
reports about equipment for which they are responsible. If it is
determine that a piece of equipment needs maintenance and is
located outside its originally assigned region, then the personnel
at the original service provider may call a service provider
associated with the new region and arrange for that service
provider to provided the required services to the equipment.
Unfortunately, having to arrange for service in another region is
inconvenient, expensive, and may result in one or more other
problems. For example, the service provider in the new region may
fail to provide the required services. Alternatively, the
responsibility for the equipment may be completely transferred to
the service provider in the new region. This requires that the
service personnel at the original service provider manually
transfer (i.e., fill out forms, update computers, etc.)
responsibility for the equipment to the new provider. In addition,
the appropriate administrative groups (i.e., accounting) may also
have to be notified. This may result in more problems because the
transfer may be done incorrectly or appropriate groups may not be
notified, and in the confusion the equipment may be assigned to
multiple service providers in different regions.
Therefore, what is needed is a system that operates to dynamically
assign equipment to regional groups and one or more service
providers to provide services for equipment as it is moved from
region to region. Such a system should also be able to dynamically
un-assign groups and service providers as the equipment is moved
outside of a particular region.
SUMMARY
In one or more embodiments, a dynamic assignment system comprising
methods and apparatus is provided to dynamically assign groups and
service responsibilities for industrial equipment. For example, in
one embodiment, the system operates to dynamically assign service
responsibilities for industrial equipment to one or more service
providers based on the location of the equipment. As a result, the
system allows equipment to be efficiently maintained as it moves
from region to region while eliminating confusion about what entity
is responsible for servicing the equipment.
In one embodiment, a method is provided for dynamically assigning
regional groups and service providers to provide services for
equipment. The method comprises determining that the equipment has
moved into a selected regional group, and assigning the equipment
to the selected regional group. The method also comprises selecting
a service provider associated with the selected regional group, and
assigning the service provider to provide services for the
equipment.
In another embodiment, apparatus is provided for dynamically
assigning regional groups and service providers to provide services
for equipment. The apparatus comprises transceiver logic that
operates to determine that the equipment has moved into a selected
regional group, and database logic that operates to select a
service provider associated with the selected regional group. The
apparatus also comprises processing logic that operates to assign
the equipment to the selected regional group, and assign the
service provider to provide services for the equipment.
In another embodiment, apparatus is provided for dynamically
assigning regional groups and service providers to provide services
for equipment. The apparatus comprises means for determining that
the equipment has moved into a selected regional group, and means
for assigning the equipment to the selected regional group. The
apparatus also comprises means for selecting a service provider
associated with the selected regional group, and means for
assigning the service provider to provide services for the
equipment.
In another embodiment, a signal-bearing medium is provided that
tangibly embodies a program of machine-readable instructions
executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform a method
for dynamically assigning regional groups and service providers to
provide services for equipment. The method comprises operations of
determining that the equipment has moved into a selected regional
group, and assigning the equipment to the selected regional group.
The method also comprises operations of selecting a service
provider associated with the selected regional group, and assigning
the service provider to provide services for the equipment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing aspects and the attendant advantages of the
embodiments described herein will become more readily apparent by
reference to the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of dynamic assignment system;
FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a hub for use in one or more
embodiments of a dynamic assignment system; and
FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a method for providing a dynamic
assignment system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description describes a dynamic assignment
system that operates to dynamically assign service responsibilities
for industrial equipment. In one embodiment, the equipment includes
communication logic that allows the equipment to communicate its
location to a central station using a wireless communication
channel.
It should be understood that the described assignment system could
be used in conjunction with virtually any type of equipment
including, but not limited to, industrial equipment, such as cement
trucks, backhoes, or bulldozers, and/or any other type of equipment
or vehicle, such as buses, trains, automobiles, and/or
watercraft.
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of dynamic assignment system 100 that
operates to dynamically assign service responsibilities for
industrial equipment. The equipment in this example comprises
equipment 102 that is in communication with a central station or
"hub" 104. For example, the equipment 102 communicates with the hub
104 using communication link 106. In one embodiment, the equipment
102 comprises a mobile communication terminal (MCT) (not shown) for
communicating with the hub 104 using a terrestrial-based wireless
communication link. However, the link 106 may comprise any suitable
wired or wireless communication link, such as a satellite link,
terrestrial link, radio link, network link, telephone link, or any
other type of communication link. The equipment 102 also comprises
positioning logic (i.e., GPS) that allows the equipment 102 to
determine its current position. As a result, the equipment 102 is
able to transmit its current position to the hub 104 using the
communication link 106. It should also be noted that the hub 104
may be in communication with virtually any type and/or number of
pieces of equipment and that embodiments of the assignment system
100 are suitable for use with little or only minor
modifications.
In one embodiment, the hub 104 communicates with a communication
network 108 via communication link 110. The network 108 may
comprise any type or combination of wired and/or wireless networks
that allow information to be communicated between the hub 104 and
other network entities. The link 110 comprises any suitable
communication link. In one embodiment a third-party 112
communicates with the network 108 via the communication link 114.
The third-party 112 may comprise any administrative office,
accounting, dispatch center, leasing company, rental agency, or
customer, and the communication link 114 may comprise any suitable
wired and/or wireless communication link.
For the purpose of this description it will be assumed that the
equipment 102 operates in a geographic region 116. In one
embodiment, the system operates to divide the geographic region 116
into three operating regional groups (A, B, and C) that define any
suitable area, job site, county, state, or any other type or size
region. The geographic regions are separated by boundaries 118 and
120. For example, the boundary 118 separates the regional group A
from the regional groups B and C. The boundary 120 separates the
regional group B from the regional group C. In one embodiment, each
region includes a service provider (S) that operates to maintain
and service equipment within that region. For example, the regional
group A includes service provider 122, the regional group B
includes service provider 124, and the regional group C includes
service provider 126. Each of the service providers communicates
with the network 108 via wired and/or wireless communication links,
128, 130, and 132, respectively.
During operation of one or more embodiments, the dynamic assignment
system 100 operates to dynamically assign regional groups and
service responsibilities to one or more service providers (S) as
the equipment 102 moves between operating regions. For example, it
will be assumed that the equipment 102 is initially located in
regional group A and that the service provider 122 is assigned to
provide service and maintenance to equipment 102. It will also be
assumed that the equipment 102 communicates its position and/or
other vehicle status to the hub 104 via the link 106. As the
equipment 102 moves into regional group C, it communicates its new
position to the hub 104 via the link 106. The hub 104 determines
from the position information that the equipment 102 has moved into
regional group C. Because the equipment 102 is now in regional
group C, the hub 104 assigns equipment 102 to regional group C and
determines that it would be more efficient to assign service
provider 126 to provide service and maintenance to the equipment
102. The hub 104 then transmits assignment information to the
service provider 126 that informs the service provider 126 to
assume service and maintenance for the equipment 102. For example,
the assignment information includes equipment identifiers,
equipment position indicators, operator identifiers, and any other
suitable information. The assignment information is transmitted via
the network 108 and link 132. Additionally, the hub 104 may also
transmit un-assignment information to the service provider 122 via
the network 108 and the link 128. The un-assignment information
un-assigns the equipment from its previous regional group and
informs the associated service provider 122 that it is no longer
responsible for the service and maintenance of the equipment 102.
Furthermore, the hub 104 may notify the third-party 112 about the
service provider assignments, or the third party 112 may receive
information from any or all of the service providers regarding
their current equipment responsibilities.
As the equipment 102 moves from region to region, the hub 104
operates to assign equipment to regional group and service
providers associated with the region in which the equipment 102 is
currently located. The hub 104 also operates to un-assign equipment
from the previous regional group and the service provider in the
region that the equipment has left. Thus, the dynamic assignment
system operates to monitor the location of the equipment 102 and
assign regional groups and service providers that can provide the
most cost effective and efficient service and maintenance.
In another embodiment, the equipment may be associated with a
parameter that indicates whether the equipment should be statically
or dynamically assigned to a regional group and service provider.
For example, if the parameter indicates that the equipment should
be statically assigned, then once a service provider is assigned to
provide services for the equipment, that provider remains the same
whether or not the equipment leaves its current operating region.
If the parameter indicates that the equipment should be dynamically
assigned, then service providers will be dynamically assigned to
provide services to the equipment as it moves from operating region
to operating region as the equipment gets assigned to different
regional groups.
In one embodiment, the equipment 102 transmits its current position
to the hub 104 at scheduled or random intervals. In another
embodiment, the equipment 102 transmits its current position as the
result of a trigger event. For example, in one embodiment, a
virtual fence 134 is placed around the equipment 102 when it is at
a particular location or job site. The virtual fence 134 represents
a virtual geographic boundary that surrounds the equipment 102. In
one embodiment, systems within the equipment 102 create and monitor
the virtual fence 134. When the equipment 102 is within this
geographic boundary, it either does not transmit its current
position, or infrequently transmits its position to the hub 104.
When the equipment 102 is moved across the virtual geographic
boundary, this constitutes a trigger event that causes the
equipment 102 to transmit its position to the hub 104 more
frequently. Thus, the trigger event of breaking the boundary of the
virtual fence 134 causes the equipment 102 to transmit its position
or other status information. In another embodiment, other trigger
events may include vehicle status, engine hours, or engine
parameters such as engine temperature or oil pressure.
In one embodiment, the system provides for advance reporting and
mapping functionality that is not generally available in
conventional systems. For example, the system allows a geographic
map to be constructed showing all equipment in an operating region
for which a particular service provider is responsible. The system
also allows geographic maps to be constructed showing the proximity
of the equipment in an operating region to a particular landmark.
For example, a landmark 136 is shown in regional group A. The
landmark 136 represents a geographic position of a job site, fuel
station, or any other point of interest. The system operates to
allow a map to be constructed showing the proximity of any or all
of the equipment in regional group A to the landmark 136. Thus, the
system provides enhanced reporting and mapping functionality over
conventional systems, thereby allowing for greater efficiency and
cost savings as it becomes much easier to route equipment from
region to region or to specific landmarks.
FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a hub 200 for use in one or more
embodiments of a dynamic assignment system. For example, the hub
200 is suitable for use as the hub 104 shown in FIG. 1. The hub 200
comprises processing logic 202, region database 204, wireless
transceiver 206 and network interface 208 all coupled to an
internal bus 210.
The processing logic 202 comprises a processor, CPU, gate array,
logic, discrete circuitry, software, or any combination of hardware
and software. The processing logic 202 operates to process
equipment position information received from equipment in the field
to dynamically associate regional group and service providers to
provide service and maintenance to the equipment.
The wireless transceiver 206 comprises a processor, CPU, gate
array, logic, discrete circuitry, software, or any combination of
hardware and software. The wireless transceiver 206 operates to
receive information transmitted from equipment in the field. For
example, equipment in the field, such as trucks, bulldozers, or
other type of industrial equipment, communicate their position
information to the wireless transceiver 206. In one embodiment, the
transceiver 206 receives transmissions over terrestrial
communication links, however, in other embodiments, the transceiver
logic 206 may receive transmission over any suitable type of
transmission link.
The region database 204 comprises a database stored in any suitable
memory that defines geographic regions and associates those regions
with service providers. For example, each region identified in the
database 204 has one or more associated service providers that
operate in that region to provide services and maintenance to
equipment in that region. The database 204 also identifies
equipment currently located in each region and to which regional
group and service provider the equipment is assigned. In one
embodiment, the information in the database 204 may be accessed
and/or modified by the processing logic 202 so that regions,
equipment, and associated assignments may be updated and/or
modified.
The network interface 208 comprises a processor, CPU, gate array,
logic, discrete circuitry, software, or any combination of hardware
and software. The network interface operates to transmit and
receive communications over a data network. For example, the
network interface 208 allows the hub 200 to communicate over the
Internet. In one embodiment, the network interface 208 allows the
processing logic 202 to communication with service providers in one
or more geographic regions using the Internet. For example, the
processing logic 202 transmits assignment information to the
service providers using the network interface 208, so that
equipment may be assigned to a particular service provider for
service and maintenance. In another embodiment, the processing
logic 202 operates to transmit un-assignment information so that
equipment may be unassigned from one or more regional groups and
service providers.
In one embodiment, the dynamic assignment system comprises a
signal-bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of
machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing
apparatus which when executed by the hub 200 provide the functions
as described herein. For example, instructions may be loaded into
the processing logic 202 from a computer-readable media, such as a
floppy disk, CDROM, memory card, FLASH memory device, RAM, ROM, or
any other type of memory device or computer-readable media that
interfaces to the processing logic 202. In another embodiment, the
instructions may be downloaded into the processing logic 202 from a
network resource via the network interface 208. The instructions,
when executed by the processing logic 202, provide one or more
embodiments of a dynamic assignment system as described herein.
During operation of one or more embodiments of the dynamic
assignment system, one or more of the following functions are
performed. 1. Define one or more geographic regions in which
equipment will operate. 2. Associate one or more service providers
with each region. 3. Assign equipment located in each region with
the appropriate regional group and service provider. 4. Monitor the
position of the equipment. 5. Determine when equipment moves to a
new region. 6. Assign the moved equipment to the new regional group
and a service provider that operates in the new region. 7.
Un-assign the moved equipment from its prior regional group and
service provider. 8. Inform third parties of the new assignments if
necessary.
It should be understood that the elements of the hub 200 shown in
FIG. 2 represent just one embodiment, and that implementation of
the hub 200 could be achieved in any number of ways using greater,
fewer, or different functional elements. For example, the functions
of the processing logic 202 and database 204 could be implemented
in a computer program executed by one or more processors.
FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a method 300 for dynamically
assigning regional groups and service and maintenance
responsibilities for industrial equipment. For example, the method
300 is suitable for use with one or more embodiments of the hub 200
and dynamic assignment system described herein. In one embodiment,
the processing logic 202 executes program instructions to control
the hub 200 to perform the functions described below.
At block 302, the method starts by defining service regions within
a particular geographic area. For example, the regions may be
defined by job sites, lat/long positions, city, county or state
boundaries, or any other type of characteristic that may be used to
define a regional group. For example, in one embodiment, the
processing logic 202 operates to define regions based on a grid of
lat/long parameters. The regions are stored in the database 204 for
further processing.
At block 304, one or more service and/or maintenance providers are
assigned to each region. For example, service and maintenance
providers operate to service and maintain the equipment operating
in each region. In one embodiment, the processing logic 202 stores
the assignments in the database so that the service providers are
related to each region defined in the database 204.
At block 306, the equipment operating in each region is associated
with its respective regional group and service provider. For
example, each piece of equipment transmits its position to the hub
200 via the wireless transceiver 206. The processing logic 202
operates to store equipment identifiers and other equipment
information in the database 204 so that the equipment is associated
with a particular regional group and one or more service
providers.
Each piece of equipment is designated as static or dynamic or both
for the purposes of group and service assignments. If a piece of
equipment is designated as static, then that piece of equipment
will remain associated with a particular regional group no matter
where it is moved to. If a piece of equipment is designated as
dynamic, then as that piece of equipment is moved from region to
region, embodiments of the dynamic assignment system operate to
assign regional groups and selected service providers in those
regions. If a piece of equipment is designated as both, then it
will remain associated with a particular regional group as well as
get assigned to the regional group it moved into. For the purposes
of this description, it will be assumed that the equipment is
designated as dynamic.
At block 308, after the initial associations made at block 306, the
equipment report their respective positions to the hub. For
example, each piece of equipment may report it position at
periodic, random or scheduled times. In another embodiment, the
equipment reports its position as the result of a trigger event,
such as when the equipment breaks a virtual fence boundary. In one
embodiment, the hub 200 receives the equipment positions via the
wireless transceiver 206.
At block 310, a test is performed to determine if any of the
equipment has moved into a new region. For example, in one
embodiment, for each piece of equipment that reports its position,
the processing logic 202 compares its reported position with the
position stored in the database 204. If the position of the
equipment has changed such that it has moved outside of its
currently assigned region, then the method proceeds to block 312.
If no equipment has moved outside its currently assigned region,
then the method proceeds to block 308 and continues to monitor
equipment positions.
At block 312, a new region is determined for any piece of equipment
that has moved out of its previous region. For example, in one
embodiment, the processing logic 202 processing the received
position information to determine the region in which the equipment
is currently located. The processing logic 202 updates the database
204 to reflect that the equipment is located in a new region by
assigning the new regional group and therefore will be serviced
and/or maintained by different providers.
At block 314, one or more service providers are assigned to service
the equipment at its new location. For example, in one embodiment,
the processing logic 202 uses the database 204 to determine one or
more service providers to service the equipment at it new location.
The processing logic 202 assigns those service providers to
provider services to the equipment by transmitting assignment
information to those service providers via the network interface
208. It should be noted that more than one service provider might
be assigned to provide services for the equipment.
At block 316, the regional group and service providers previously
assigned to service the equipment are un-assigned. For example, in
one embodiment, the processing logic 202 transmits un-assignment
information to the service providers in the region where the
equipment was previously located. The un-assignment information
indicates to those service providers that they are no longer
required to provide services to the equipment.
At block 318, third parties are notified of any assignment changes.
For example, the processing logic 202 operates to notify third
parties, such as accounting departments, leasing departments,
clients, or other by transmitting notification messages via the
network interface 208. The method 300 then continues at block 308
where new equipment positions are determined.
It should be noted that the method 300 is just one embodiment and
that it is also possible to make minor changes, additions,
deletions, combinations, or rearrangements of the method steps all
within the scope of the described embodiments.
Therefore, a system to dynamically assign regional groups and
service responsibilities for industrial equipment has been
described and illustrated herein. Accordingly, it will be
appreciated that various changes can be made to the embodiments
without departing from their spirit or essential characteristics.
Therefore, the disclosures and descriptions herein are intended to
be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention,
which is set forth in the following claims.
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